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Leica M11 Comparison Review

The Leica M11 (Typ 2416) is a rangefinder-focusing mirrorless camera that was revealed to the public in January 2022 and is equipped with a full frame sensor. It offers a resolution of 60.3 megapixel.

camera

Is the Leica M11 a good camera? The M11 has a Camera Elo of 2839. This rating puts the M11 among the top 10 percent of all rangefinder cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (full frame cameras), the M11 ranks among the top 40 percent.

Headline Specifications
Leica M11
Rangefinder camera
Leica M mount lenses
60.3 MP, Full Frame Sensor
no Video
ISO 64 - 50 000
Optical viewfinder
3.0 LCD, 2333k dots
Fixed touchscreen
4.5 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body
700 shots per battery charge
139 x 80 x 39 mm, 640 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size of the Leica M11 vis-à-vis a credit card. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Leica M11 vs credit card front
M11 versus credit card top view
M11 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Leica M11 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica M11 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 640 g 700 Y Jan 2022 8,995 amazon.com
2.
 
Leica Q3 130 mm 80 mm 93 mm 743 g 350 Y May 2023 5,995 amazon.com
3.
 
Leica M10-R 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Jul 2020 8,295 amazon.com
4.
 
Leica Q2 130 mm 80 mm 92 mm 718 g 370 Y Mar 2019 4,995 amazon.com
5.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240 139 mm 80 mm 42 mm 680 g .. Y Jun 2019 3,999ebay.com
6.
 
Leica M10-P 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Aug 2018 7,995 amazon.com
7.
 
Leica M10 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Jan 2017 6,595ebay.com
8.
 
Leica M Typ 262 139 mm 80 mm 42 mm 680 g .. Y Nov 2015 5,195ebay.com
9.
 
Leica SL 147 mm 104 mm 39 mm 847 g 400 Y Oct 2015 7,450ebay.com
10.
 
Leica M Typ 240 139 mm 80 mm 42 mm 680 g .. Y Sep 2012 6,950ebay.com
11.
 
Leica M9 139 mm 80 mm 37 mm 585 g .. n Sep 2009 7,999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Leica M11 was launched in the US market at a price of $8,995. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

The Leica M11 features a full frame sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.0. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Leica M11 among the large-sensor cameras that aim for top notch image quality.

Leica M11 sensor measures

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of alternatives.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Leica M11 Full Frame 60.3 9528 6328none26.314.83376100
2.
 
Leica Q3 Full Frame 60.3 9528 63288K/30p25.414.7321696
3.
 
Leica M10-R Full Frame 40.9 7864 5200none25.314.3292495
4.
 
Leica Q2 Full Frame 46.7 8368 55844K/30p26.413.5249196
5.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240 Full Frame 23.7 5952 39761080/25p25.214.2282194
6.
 
Leica M10-P Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992none25.114.1273993
7.
 
Leica M10 Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992none24.413.2213386
8.
 
Leica M Typ 262 Full Frame 23.7 5952 3976none24.813.7247890
9.
 
Leica SL Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.013.4182188
10.
 
Leica M Typ 240 Full Frame 23.7 5952 39761080/25p24.013.3186084
11.
 
Leica M9 Full Frame 18.1 5212 3472none22.511.788469
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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It should be noted that unlike many modern cameras, the M11 does not provide the possibility to capture videos.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the M11 has an optical viewfinder that provides a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.73x. The following tables report on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Leica M11 and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
#   Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Leica M11optical n3.0 / 2333 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.5/s n n
2.
 
Leica Q35760 n3.0 / 1840 tilting Y 1/2000s 15.0/s n Y
3.
 
Leica M10-Roptical n3.0 / 1037 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.5/s n n
4.
 
Leica Q23680 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s n Y
5.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
6.
 
Leica M10-Poptical n3.0 / 1037 fixed Y 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
7.
 
Leica M10optical n3.0 / 1037 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
8.
 
Leica M Typ 262optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
9.
 
Leica SL4400 Y3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
10.
 
Leica M Typ 240optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
11.
 
Leica M9optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 2.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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It is worthwhile pointing out that the M11 has a touchscreen. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, when trying to adjust the focus point.

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Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Leica M11 (Typ 2416) and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Leica M11Y- / ----3.2Y-Y
2.
 
Leica Q3Ystereo / mono--micro3.1Y-Y
3.
 
Leica M10-RY- / -----Y--
4.
 
Leica Q2Ystereo / mono----Y-Y
5.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240Ymono / ----2.0---
6.
 
Leica M10-PY- / -----Y--
7.
 
Leica M10Y- / -----Y--
8.
 
Leica M Typ 262Y- / ----2.0---
9.
 
Leica SLYstereo / monoYYfull3.0Y--
10.
 
Leica M Typ 240Ystereo / mono---2.0---
11.
 
Leica M9Y- / ----2.0---
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It is notable that the M11 offers wifi support. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Further information on the features and operation of the M11 can be found in the free online Leica M11 Manual or on the Leica support site.

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Expert reviews

While the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the M11 handle or perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica M114.5/5..4.5/5..4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2022 8,995 amazon.com
2.
 
Leica Q35/5..4.5/5...... May 2023 5,995 amazon.com
3.
 
Leica M10-R4.5/5..4/5....4/5 Jul 2020 8,295 amazon.com
4.
 
Leica Q2....4.5/584/1004.5/54/5 Mar 2019 4,995 amazon.com
5.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240............ Jun 2019 3,999ebay.com
6.
 
Leica M10-P....3/5....4/5 Aug 2018 7,995 amazon.com
7.
 
Leica M104.5/5......4/54.5/5 Jan 2017 6,595ebay.com
8.
 
Leica M Typ 262............ Nov 2015 5,195ebay.com
9.
 
Leica SL4/5..4/584/1004.5/54/5 Oct 2015 7,450ebay.com
10.
 
Leica M Typ 2404/5......4/5.. Sep 2012 6,950ebay.com
11.
 
Leica M9........4.5/5.. Sep 2009 7,999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Leica M11 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the M11.

What type of imaging sensor is used in the Leica M11?

The camera has a BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor at its core.

Which image processing chip is used in the Leica M11 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Leica equipped the M11 with the Maestro III image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Leica M11?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 64 to ISO 50000.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Leica M11 (Typ 2416)?

Leica does not publish a shutter rating for the M11. Yet, shutters in comparable cameras from other manufacturers are said to be good for at least 100 000 actuations. It should be noted, though, that this number represents a Mean Time before Failure. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust an expected shutter life of 100 000 shots over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.

Is completely silent shooting possible with the Leica M11?

The camera has an electronic shutter option, so that it is indeed feasible to capture images without any shutter noise.

Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Leica M11?

No, the Leica M11 (Typ 2416) has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.

Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Leica M11?

The M11 offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Leica M11 for flash photography?

The M11's flash sync speed is 1/180 sec.

Does the Leica M11 support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-II cards (data transfer speed of up to 312 MB/s).

Which battery does the Leica M11 use?

The camera gets its power from the BC-SCL7, which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Leica M11
    Camera Type Rangefinder camera
    Camera Lens Leica M mount lenses
    Launch Date January 2022
    Launch Price USD 8 995
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 36.0 x 24.0 mm
    Sensor Area 864 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 43.3 mm
    Crop Factor 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 60.3 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 9 528 x 6 328 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.79 μm
    Pixel Density 6.98 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter
    Movie Capability no Video
    ISO Setting 64 - 50 000 ISO
    Image Processor Maestro III
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 100
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 26.3
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 14.8
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 3376
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.73x
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 2333k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Manual Focus
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 4.5 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations
    Silent ShootingElectronic Shutter
    Time Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer Built-in
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-II
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 3.2
    HDMI Port no HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed body
    Battery Type BC-SCL7 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)700 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 139 x 80 x 39 mm
    (5.5 x 3.1 x 1.5 in)
    Camera Weight 640 g (22.6 oz)

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